The Melting Pot Cooks Up New Ways to Fondue with Newest Location

Dec 3, 2015

The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. has been thinking outside of the pot for ways to improve upon its success. After extensive research into dining preferences and needs, The Melting Pot has introduced an additional menu of cooked-to-order small plate entrees called FonDONE, as well as an interior redesign that maximizes dining space and comfort. Both new initiatives are on display exclusively at the company’s newest franchise location opening Friday in Maple Shade, New Jersey.

Franchisees Charlie LaRosa and Mike and Kim Hughes have owned The Melting Pot in Center City, Philadelphia, for the past 10 years and are now relocating the restaurant to Maple Shade.

“After a decade in business with this brand, we have an exciting opportunity to not only introduce a new community to our interactive fondue dining experience, but also to help introduce an enhanced design and menu options The Melting Pot hasn’t offered before,” says Maple Shade owner/operator Kim Hughes. “New dining choices mean our guests just have more reasons to visit us more often.”

The traditional fondue experience is front and center at the Maple Shade restaurant and still at the core of what sets The Melting Pot apart. Additionally, FonDONE is a new option that streamlines the experience and provides an alternative for a shorter lunch or dinner outing. First introduced at The Melting Pot’s St. Petersburg, Florida, location earlier this year, FonDONE will give Maple Shade guests the choice to try cooked-to-order small plate entrees in addition to the traditional cooked-tableside fondue entrees.

“It’s a brand new way to fondue,” says Mike Lester, president of The Melting Pot. “With more than 125 franchise locations around the world, we are proud that our restaurants reflect a true melting pot of personalities. Our guests and our franchisees have given us many great ideas about how to serve them even better, and we’re excited to partner with Charlie, Kim and Mike in New Jersey to bring both classic and new menu options to Maple Shade.”

The Maple Shade location is also the first to unveil The Melting Pot’s new design initiative. Detailed seating analysis and study of customer design preferences has culminated in improved seating areas throughout the dining room and bar to maximize restaurant space and create multiple interior environments that will delight and surprise guests.